Oceanic Systems 3281 User manual

Brand: Oceanic Systems

Model: 3281

Type: User manual

The Oceanis Systems’ 3281 NMEA2000® Fresh Water Level Sender measures the tank level or tank volume of the

vessels fresh water tanks.

It is very important that it is installed and set up correctly according to this manual. Please read and follow the

installation and setup instructions carefully to achieve the best results. (applicable for all variants)

The 3281 NMEA2000® Fresh Water Sender has the following features:

• Water level sensing from 250mm to 2 metres

• User settable for tank Level or tank Volume output

• User settable tank instance from 0 to 15

• Heartbeat blue LED to indicate normal activity

• Red Warning LED to indicate damaged rods.

• 1.25” BSP single threaded mount

• NMEA2000® Interface

Take great care when unpacking the sender that the coated rod is not damaged in any way. If the coating is

scraped or punctured the sender will not work.

We test every sender before it is packed so the coated rod is protected against transit damage. Do not remove the

protective packaging until you are ready to install the sender.

You should find the following items in the 3281 shipping tube:

1 x 3281 NMEA2000® Fresh Water Level Sender

1 x Water Sender Probe End Cap (May already be attached)

1 x 3281 User Manual (This document)

1x 30g tube of silicone, if unit is not already cut to length

1.1 MOUNTING LOCATION AND REQUIREMENTS

The sender is designed to be mounted on a flat area on the top of the water tank over the tank’s deepest part.

Examine the tank internal structure and choose a location that ensures the sender probes will not chafe on any of

the tank’s internal structure or baffles.

The sender requires a 1.25 inch standard BSP threaded mounting hole with a small 45° machine chamfer at the

top to seal against the sender mounting O ring.

If the tank has an existing SAE 5 bolt hole then the optional

3261 Mounting ring can be attached to the SAE 5 bolt holes to

provide a 1.25” BSP threaded hole mount for the Water Sender.

1.2 MEASURING SENDER LENGTH

The sender may be supplied already cut to length with the probe end cap already installed and be ready to install

into the tank if you have supplied the required cut length at the point of ordering. In this case there is no extra

work to do in this part.

If the sender was supplied in a standard length to be cut down then the finished length should be determined by

measuring as shown in the diagram.

INSTALLATION

Magnet Area

Make certain sender and water

pickup are at the same level.

Water tank/container

Tank No.

Red LED Indicator

Blue LED Indicator

Optional 3261 Mounting Ring.

Finished Length

25mm / 1” between the

end of the sender and

the bottom of the tank

25mm / 1”

Measure from

the underside of the

Water Sender

FRESH WATER LEVEL SENDER

Part Numbers: 3281

INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

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Cut the coated and uncoated rod to length using a sharp hacksaw.

CAUTION

BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DAMAGE THE PLASTIC COATING ON THE REMAINING LENGTH OF ROD DURING THE

CUTTING PROCESS. IF YOU ARE SUPPORTING THE ROD DURING THE CUTTING PROCESS SUPPORT THE ROD ON THE

PART BEING REMOVED. IF THE PLASTIC COATING IS DAMAGED THE SENDER WILL NOT WORK!

After cutting the rods to length remove any sharp edges with a file. The cut end now needs to be insulated by

means of the clear plastic end cap included with the unit. Enter the insulated rod in the enclosed part of the end

cap and the plain rod in the other end as shown in this image.

Fill the clear plastic end cap with silicone sealant before pushing insulated rod onto the cap.

Push the insulated rod firmly into the enclosed end until it is fully home as shown the following image. This will

be quite stiff and care must be taken not to damage the coated rod in this operation.

Carefully insert the Water Sender probe into the threaded hole in the top of the tank. Ensure that the probe

coating does NOT scrape against the edge of the tank. Tighten sender sufficiently to prevent leaks.

1.5 CONNECTING THE NMEA2000® INTERFACE

The unit must be connected with POWER OFF to prevent damage.

The NMEA2000® interface cable on the unit should be connected to a nearby NMEA2000® Tee connector (part

number 3802). The male end of the cable should be inserted into the female Tee connection noting the position of

the keyway in the plug and the socket. This cable can be extended up to a maximum length of 6 metres to the Tee

connector. Ensure that the locking ring is securely tightened so that the connection is waterproof and secure.

1.3 CUTTING TO LENGTH 1.4 INSERTING SENDER INTO THE TANK

To display

3804 Male

Terminator

3802 T - Adaptor

+12v

3281 Water Sender

250-3000mm

NMEA2000® Network Backbone

Support both ends of

Water Sender

Make sure the Plastic outer is well past the

O-rings to ensure a good seal.

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2.3 SETTING THE OUTPUT MODE

The 3281 Fresh Water Sender has two output modes to choose from. Level Mode or Volume Mode.

LEVEL MODE is when the sender outputs from 0 – 100%. It indicates the exact LEVEL of the fluid in the tank. The

user can tell when the unit is in Level Mode because the blue LED flashes ONCE every 2.5 seconds when a level

message has been sent.

VOLUME MODE is when the sender outputs from 0-100% but reflects the actual fluid volume within the tank taking

allowance for the tanks internal shape. The user can tell when the unit is in Volume Mode because the blue LED

flashes twice rapidly every 2.5 seconds when a volume message has been sent.

The Volume Mode PGN message is exactly the same as the Level Mode PGN message which means that the volume

can easily be shown on any NMEA2000® display that accepts Fluid Level PGNs from tank senders. The Volume

Mode Tank data can be entered from any Oceanic Systems Display that is equipped to set up this data. Please

available at the time of ordering.

SETTING LEVEL MODE

Level Mode can be set by setting the “Tank No.” switch to “C” and then placing a small magnet on the “Magnet

Calibration” position on the label. The blue LED will flash for 2 seconds to indicate that the unit saw the magnet.

Then return the “Tank No.” switch to it’s original position and the sender will transmit Level messages as

indicated by the blue LED flashing ONCE briefly every 2.5 seconds.

SETTING VOLUME MODE

Volume Mode can be set by setting the “Tank No.” switch to “D”, then placing the magnet on the “Magnet

Calibration” position on the label. The blue LED will flash for 2 seconds to indicate that the unit saw the magnet.

When the switch is returned to it’s original positions the sender will transmit Volume messages as indicated by the

blue LED flashing rapidly TWICE every 2.5 seconds.

If the senders Volume Mode Tank Data has NOT been set up, and the unit is accidentally set to Volume Mode, the

data transmitted will actually be the Level Data. This means the unit will remain fully functional.

2.1 TANK CONFIGURATION

To configure the sender to measure the fluid in the tank, make curtain that the ‘Tank Type’ rotary dial is set to

position 1.

Please note that the contents of waste and black water tanks can coat the probes and cause misreadings. If this

occurs then carefully wipe down the probes with a soft cloth and fresh water.

We do not recommend this sender for waste or black water tanks. Please contact [email protected] for

recommended solution.

2.2 TANK DEVICE INSTANCE

NMEA2000® requires a unique Device Instance to be set for each 3281 NMEA2000® Fresh Water Sender on a single

network. This is settable from device instance 0 to Device Instance 15 using the right hand small rotary switch on

the top of the sender labeled “Tank No.”

This means that each Fresh Water tank should have a device instance starting from 0. The Instance can be set at

any time regardless if power is on or off. The switch counts from 0 – 9 then A – F being equivalent to Device

Instance 0 – 15.

The NMEA2000® Device Instance is set by using the small rotary switch on the front panel labeled “Tank No.” as

per the following table:

CONFIGURATION

Tank Type

Fresh Water

Switch Position

Device Instance

F 15

Waste Water

Black Water

Tank No. set to ‘C’ Set level mode with a Magnet

Blue LED flashes

for 2 seconds

Tank No. set to ‘D’ Set Volume mode with a Magnet

Blue LED flashes

for 2 seconds

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The following table will help diagnose common faults:

MAINTENANCE

Ensure that the sender is mounted securely in the top of the tank and that there are no liquid leaks. Reset and

tighten if necessary. Check the security of the NMEA2000® cable to the NMEA2000® Tee Connector and tighten if

necessary. Clean the unit with a soft cloth. Do not use chemical cleaners as they may remove label markings. The

probes should be cleaned with plenty of water and a soft rag. Be very careful not to damage the coated rod whilst

cleaning.

SETTING TANK EMPTY TANK FULL CALIBRATION

specifications are subject to change without notice. Oceanic Systems products are designed to be accurate and reliable. However,

they should be used only as aids to vessel monitoring, and not as a replacement for traditional navigation and vessel monitoring

techniques. NMEA2000® is a registered trademark of the National Marine Electronics Association.

Oceanic Systems (UK) Ltd

Unit 10 -11 Milton Business Centre, Wick Drive,

New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6RH, United Kingdom

Tel (UK): +44(0)1425 610022 Tel (USA): (844)898 6462

Fax: +44(0)1425 614794 Email: [email protected]

Web: www.osukl.com

DOC NO. 00002 Rev. G v5

When the unit is first installed it needs to be calibrated to the tank. This is easily done as follows:

3.1 TANK EMPTY CALIBRATION

When the unit is first installed in an EMPTY tank and powered on the Tank Empty Calibration is done by setting the

“Tank No.” switch to “E” then placing a small magnet on the “Magnet Calibration” position on the label. The blue

LED will light for 2 seconds to indicate that the unit saw the magnet and that the empty calibration is complete.

3.2 TANK FULL CALIBRATION

The Tank Full Calibration is easily done in a FULL tank and powered on by setting the “Tank No.” switch to “F”.

Then place a small magnet on the “Magnet Calibration” position on the label to set the Full Calibration position.

The blue LED will light for 2 seconds to indicate that the sender saw the magnet and that the full calibration point

has been set.

In all cases do not forget to set the “Tank No. switch back to it’s original tank number.

LED on for about 2 seconds

LED Flashes twice every 2.5 seconds

LED flashes once every 2.5 seconds

LED flashes rapidly

LED does not flash

Calibration magnet detected

Inaccurate Reading

Check end cap still installed on end of sender,

carefully clean the sender rods and recalibrate

using instructions above.

Red LED on or red LED flashing intermittently While a short is detected due to an ill fitting end cap

or damaged sleeve the red LED will be on.

Normal Operation in Volume mode (see 2.3 above)

Normal Operation in Level mode (see 2.3 above)

Network not terminated correctly or no other

NMEA2000® device on the network

Check power on network or Tank Type switch

not set to valid value

TROUBLESHOOTING

Tank No. set to ‘E’

Empty Tank

Full Tank

Set empty level with a Magnet

Blue LED stays on

for 2 seconds

Do not touch the metal

casing of the device

during calibration.

Tank No. set to ‘F’ Set full level with a Magnet

Blue LED stays on

for 2 seconds

Do not touch the metal

casing of the device

during calibration.

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Oceanic Systems 3281 User manual

Brand: Oceanic Systems

Model: 3281

Type: User manual

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Oceanic Systems 3281 User manual

Oceanic Systems 3281 User manual

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